US7591668B2 - Connector and connector assembly - Google Patents

Connector and connector assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US7591668B2
US7591668B2 US12/183,272 US18327208A US7591668B2 US 7591668 B2 US7591668 B2 US 7591668B2 US 18327208 A US18327208 A US 18327208A US 7591668 B2 US7591668 B2 US 7591668B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
detector
lock
resilient piece
lock arm
housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US12/183,272
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20090035980A1 (en
Inventor
Hideto Nakamura
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Original Assignee
Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2007200569A external-priority patent/JP5119788B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP2007209429A external-priority patent/JP5181573B2/ja
Application filed by Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd filed Critical Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Assigned to SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD. reassignment SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NAKAMURA, HIDETO
Publication of US20090035980A1 publication Critical patent/US20090035980A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7591668B2 publication Critical patent/US7591668B2/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/64—Means for preventing incorrect coupling
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/64—Means for preventing incorrect coupling
    • H01R13/641—Means for preventing incorrect coupling by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a connector and a connector assembly.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,417 discloses a connector that has a female housing with a lock arm and a detector mounted on the lock arm.
  • the detector is movable between a standby position and a detection position with respect to the female housing.
  • a movement preventing means holds the detector at the standby position in the process of connecting the housing with a mating housing.
  • the detector is freed from the movement preventing means and can move to the detection position as the housings are connected properly. Accordingly, the connected state of the two housings can be detected based on whether the detector can be moved.
  • Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-253073 discloses another connector with a connection detecting function.
  • This connector has a first housing with a lock projection.
  • a second housing is connectable with the first housing and includes a lock arm.
  • a connection detector is provided in the second housing and is slidable between an initial position and a detection position in directions substantially parallel to a connecting direction of the two housings.
  • a resilient piece is cantilevered from the connection detector and extends towards the detection position.
  • the resilient piece contacts the lock arm when the connection detector is at the initial position and prevents a sliding movement of the connection detector to the detection position. Additionally, the resilient piece is displaceable together with the lock arm.
  • the lock arm interferes with the lock projection in the process of connecting the housings and is deformed resiliently in a direction intersecting the connecting direction of the two housings.
  • the lock arm passes the lock projection when the two housings are connected properly.
  • the lock arm restores resiliently and engages the lock projection to prevent separation of the two housings.
  • the resilient piece is disengaged from the lock arm by interference with the lock projection.
  • the connection detector can slide to the detection position.
  • connection detector of the above-described connector An external force could be exerted on the connection detector of the above-described connector to move the connection detector towards the detection position before the housings are connected.
  • This force could resiliently curve an area between a base end of the resilient piece and a locking portion thereof that engages the lock arm. Excessive deformation of the resilient piece could disengage the resilient piece from the lock arm due to the resilient restoring force of the resilient piece. As a result, the connection detector can slide to the detection position even though the housings are not connected yet.
  • the invention was developed in view of the above situation and an object thereof is to improve overall operability of a connection function.
  • the invention relates to a connector with a housing capable of accommodating at least one terminal fitting.
  • At least one detector is assembled with the housing and can move from a standby position to a detection position if the housing is connected properly with a mating housing. However, the detector is prevented from moving to the detection position if the housing is connected only partly with the mating housing.
  • the detector is has at least one opening and a background color seen through the opening differs when the detector is at the standby position than when the detector is at the detection position. Thus, the arrival of the detector at the detection position can be confirmed clearly. As a result, an operator will not forget to move the detector, and the reliability of a connection detecting function is improved.
  • a part of the detector may be seen through the opening when the detector is at the standby position and a part of the housing may be seen through the opening when the detector is at the detection position.
  • the color in the opening and the color of a part surrounding opening can be the same at the standby position.
  • the housing preferably includes a lock arm for holding a connected state with the mating housing, and a corresponding part of the lock arm can be seen through the opening when the detector is at the detection position.
  • a lock arm for holding a connected state with the mating housing, and a corresponding part of the lock arm can be seen through the opening when the detector is at the detection position.
  • the detector preferably is a first color and the housing is a color different from the first color. Thus, it is not necessary to color-separate one part and production is easier.
  • a resilient piece preferably extends from the detector towards the detection position.
  • the resilient piece contacts the lock arm to prevent a sliding movement of the detector to the detection position and is engaged with the lock arm for displacement together with the lock arm in a state where the detector is at the initial position.
  • the lock arm interferes with a lock projection of the mating housing in a connecting process of the housing with the mating housing and deforms resiliently in a direction intersecting the connecting direction of the two housings.
  • the lock arm passes the lock projection when the housings are connected properly and resiliently restores to engage the lock projection in a manner to prevent separation of the housings.
  • the resilient piece is disengaged from the lock arm by interference with the lock projection so that the detector can move to the detection position. Accordingly, the detector is prevented from moving from an initial position to a detection position in a state where the housings are not yet connected, thereby improving operability.
  • connection detector cannot move from the initial position to the detection position before the housings are connected.
  • a restriction preferably is provided to prevent an excessive curved deformation of the resilient piece towards a side opposite to the lock when the resilient piece is engaged with the lock arm and when the connection detector is at the initial position.
  • the maximum curved deformation of the resilient piece is between the base end of the resilient piece and the lock that engages the lock arm.
  • the restriction is formed in this area where maximum deformation will occur, and hence can prevent excessive deformation of the resilient piece.
  • the resilient piece interferes with the lock projection when the housings are connected properly and the connection detector is at the initial position.
  • the resilient piece inclines and displaces towards the restriction. Displacement of the resilient piece is maximal at its extending end.
  • the restriction is not formed at the extending end of the resilient piece, and there is no likelihood of hindering displacement of the resilient piece due to interference of the extending end of the resilient piece with the restriction.
  • An arcuate or tapered contact preferably is formed at an end edge of the restriction closest to the extending end of the resilient piece.
  • the extending end of the resilient piece engages the contact end edge of the restriction when the resilient piece is displaced to approach the restriction. This contact and the resilient piece could deform if the contact was an angular edge. However, the contact is arcuate or tapered and the resilient piece will not deform.
  • the restriction preferably is integral or unitary to the connection detector. Since the restriction is formed on the connection detector as a formation base of the resilient piece, there is no likelihood of disrupting the positional relationship of the resilient piece and the restriction.
  • the connection detector preferably includes two side walls at opposite sides of the resilient piece.
  • the restriction connects the side walls and is aligned angularly to the side walls.
  • the deflection strength of the restriction is higher than if the restriction is a single plate, and curved deformation of the resilient piece is restricted reliably.
  • the invention also relates to a connector assembly comprising the above described connector and a mating connector connectable therewith.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view in section showing a state before two housings are connected in a first embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view in section showing a state in the process of connecting the two housings.
  • FIG. 3 is a side view in section showing a state where the two housings are properly connected to bring a detector to a detection position.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state where the detector is held at a standby position with respect to a lock arm.
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state where the detector is held at the detection position with respect to the lock arm.
  • FIG. 6 is a front view showing the state where the detector is held at the detection position with respect to the lock arm.
  • FIG. 7 is a front view of the detector.
  • FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the detector.
  • FIG. 9 is a front view of the housing.
  • FIG. 10 is a plan view of the housing.
  • FIG. 11 is a vertical section of a second embodiment showing a state where a restriction prevents excessive curved deformation of a resilient piece.
  • FIG. 12 is a vertical section of a second housing with a connection detector located at an initial position.
  • FIG. 13 is a vertical section showing a connecting process of two housings.
  • FIG. 14 is a vertical section showing a state where the two housings are properly connected and the connection detector is at the initial position.
  • FIG. 15 is a vertical section showing a state where the two housings are properly connected and the connection detector is at a detection position.
  • FIG. 16 is a horizontal section showing a state where the connection detector is held at the initial position.
  • FIG. 17 is a plan view of the second housing.
  • FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a state where the connection detecting member is detached from the second housing.
  • FIG. 19 is a front view showing a state where the connection detector is detached from the second housing.
  • FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the connection detector.
  • FIG. 21 is a front view of the connection detector.
  • a connector of this embodiment is provided with a housing 10 , one or more female terminal fittings 40 and a detector 60 .
  • the housing 10 is connectable with a mating housing 90 and the detector 60 is movable between a standby position SP and a detection position DP with respect to the housing 10 .
  • ends of the housings 10 , 90 to be connected are referred to as front ends concerning forward and backward directions.
  • the male housing 90 is made e.g. of synthetic resin and includes a terminal accommodating portion 91 for accommodating male terminal fittings 50 and a tubular receptacle 92 that projects forward from the front of the terminal accommodating portion 91 . Cavities 93 are formed in the terminal accommodating portion 91 and accommodate male terminal fittings 50 . Tabs 51 of the male terminal fittings 50 project forward from the front surface of the cavities 93 and into the receptacle 92 . A releasing piece 94 projects forward from the back of the receptacle 92 and a lock 95 projects from the upper surface of the receptacle 92 . A retainer 96 is mounted in the terminal accommodating portion 91 for retaining the male terminal fittings 50 .
  • the retainer 96 includes terminal locks 97 for locking boxes 52 of the male terminal fittings 50 , and substantially sawtooth-shaped projections 98 for biting in the insulation coatings of wires 55 connected with the male terminal fittings 50 .
  • the male terminal fittings 50 are retained in the cavities 93 primarily by the engagement of locking lances 54 with the inner walls of the cavities 94 .
  • the locking lances 54 are formed in the boxes 52 by cutting and bending.
  • the male terminal fittings 50 may be retained in the respective cavities 93 by locks (not shown) provided thereon.
  • the housing 10 is made e.g. of synthetic resin and includes a flat block-shaped housing main body 11 .
  • a lock arm 12 is provided on the upper surface of the housing main body 11 and a fitting 13 surrounds the housing main body 11 , as shown in FIG. 9 .
  • Cavities 14 are arranged in a lateral row in the housing main body 11 and accommodate female terminal fittings 40 .
  • left and right receiving portions 15 project from the rear end of the housing main body 11 .
  • a communication space 16 penetrates a rear end of the housing main body 11 and provides communication between the upper surface of the housing main body 11 and the cavities 14 .
  • a wire holder 17 can be fit in this communication space 16 .
  • the wire holder 17 includes substantially sawtooth-shaped or pointed projections 18 for engaging the insulation coatings of wires 41 to prevent movements of the wires 41 in forward and backward directions.
  • An accommodating chamber 19 for a shorting terminal 42 is formed in the front of the housing main body 11 and provides communication between at least two adjacent cavities 14 .
  • the accommodating chamber 19 also opens in a side surface of the fitting 13 , and the shorting terminal 42 can be mounted through this side opening.
  • the shorting terminal 42 contacts the female terminal fittings 40 in at least two of the cavities 14 from below to short the terminal fittings 40 (see FIG. 1 ) until connection of the two housings 10 , 90 is completed.
  • the releasing piece 94 of the receptacle 92 presses the shorting terminal 42 away from the terminal fittings 40 to release the shorted state when the housings 10 , 90 are connected properly (see FIG. 3 ).
  • the lock arm 12 has left and right legs 21 that stand up from the upper surface of the housing main body 11 .
  • Left and right arms 22 extend forward and back from the upper ends of the legs 21 and a lower plate 23 couples the bottom end edges of the arms 22 .
  • a substantially rectangular upper plate 24 couples the upper end edges of the arms 22 and a lock main body 25 couples the front ends of the arms 22 .
  • the lock arm 12 is pivotally displaceable up and down like a seesaw in a direction intersecting a connecting direction of the two housings 10 , 90 with the legs 21 as supports.
  • a formation area of the lower plate 23 in forward and backward directions extends from a position behind the lock main body 25 to the rear ends of the arms 22 , and the upper plate 24 is arranged at the rear ends of the arms 22 .
  • the lower and upper plates 23 and 24 are thin and are arranged substantially horizontally in different levels.
  • a mount space 26 is defined between the upper plate 24 and the lower plate 23 and between the two arms 22 .
  • Left and right guide ribs 27 project at opposite lateral edges of the arms 22 extend substantially in forward and backward directions.
  • Left and right retaining projections 28 project at the opposite lateral edges of the lower surfaces.
  • the lower surfaces of the guide ribs 27 and the upper surfaces of the retaining projections 28 are connected unitarily.
  • Left and right side walls 31 stand up from the fitting 13 at opposite sides of the lock arm 12 .
  • a coupling wall 32 couples the front ends of the upper edges of the opposite side walls 31 .
  • the outer surfaces of the housing 10 including the lock arm 12 are formed entirely in a second color, specifically in a bright color, such as yellow, and the entire external appearance thereof is seen uniformly in the bright color before the detector 60 is assembled.
  • Each female terminal fitting 40 is narrow and long in forward and backward directions.
  • a substantially box-shaped connecting portion 43 is formed at the front part of the female terminal fitting 40 and a wire crimping portion 44 with at least one open barrel is formed at the rear part of the female terminal fitting 40 .
  • a locking lance 45 is formed in the connecting portion 43 by cutting and bending.
  • the female terminal fitting 40 is inserted into the cavity 14 from behind and is retained in the cavity 14 by the resilient engagement of the locking lance 45 with the inner wall of the cavity 14 .
  • the female terminal fitting 40 may be retained in the cavity 14 by a locking portion provided in the cavity 14 .
  • the detector 60 is made e.g. of synthetic resin and includes a substantially block-shaped operable portion 61 near the rear end.
  • Left and right guide arms 62 are cantilevered forward from the opposite sides of the operable portion 61 and a cover 63 couples the upper end edges of the guide arms 62 .
  • a detecting main body 64 is cantilevered forward from the operable portion 61 at a position below the cover 63 and between the two guide arms 62 , as shown in FIG. 8 .
  • guide grooves 65 are formed in the inner surfaces of the guide arms 62 and extend in forward and backward directions. The guide grooves 65 are arranged so that openings thereof face inwardly.
  • Left and right retaining projections 66 are provided on the inner surfaces of the guide arms 62 below the guide grooves 65 .
  • the cover 63 is a substantially flat plate covering substantially the rear half of the housing main body 11 .
  • Left and right contact pieces 67 project forward from the front end edge of the cover 63 .
  • Left and right through holes 68 are formed at positions near the opposite lateral edges of the cover 63 .
  • the through holes 68 of the cover 63 are rectangular and are longer in forward and backward directions.
  • the corresponding retaining projections 66 can be seen through the through holes 68 in an isolated state before being assembled.
  • the cover 63 also is formed with a window 69 at a substantially widthwise center position near the rear end edge.
  • the window 69 of the cover 63 is a substantially round hole.
  • the upper surface of the detecting main body 64 can be seen through the window 69 when the detector 60 is in a standby position SP and the upper surface of the upper plate 24 can be seen through the window 69 when the detector 60 is at the detection position DP.
  • the detecting main body 64 is a narrow plate that is long in forward and backward directions and is resiliently deformable up and down.
  • a contact 71 projects down at the front end of the detecting main body 64 .
  • a front end portion of the detecting main body 64 is thinner than a base end thereof that is connected with the operable portion 61 to enable smooth deformations of the front end and to increase the strength of the base end.
  • the bottom end of the operable portion 61 is slightly below the lower surface of the detecting main body 64 , and the front end edge of the bottom end of the operable portion 61 defines connection detecting portions 72 .
  • the outer surfaces of the detector 60 preferably are entirely in a first color different from the second color, specifically in a darker color such as blue, so that the entire external appearance thereof is seen uniformly in the first color before being assembled with the lock arm 12 .
  • the detector 60 is assembled with the lock arm 12 of the housing 10 from behind so that the detecting main body 64 enters the mount space 26 .
  • the guide ribs 27 engage the guide grooves 65 in this assembling process so that the detector 60 is slid forward with respect to the lock arm 12 and the guide arms 62 are deformed resiliently out in the width direction by the interference of the retaining projections 28 , 66 .
  • the retaining projections 66 of the detector 60 engage the retaining projections 28 of the lock arm 12 from the front when the detector 60 is assembled to the standby position SP with respect to the lock arm 12 for retaining the detector 60 .
  • the contact projection 71 engages the lock main body 25 from behind to prevent the detector 60 from moving any farther forward.
  • the detecting main body 64 is held between the lower and upper plates 23 and 24 and between the left and right arms 22 . Furthermore, the upper plate 24 is held between the detecting main body 64 and the cover 63 .
  • the detector 60 is united with the lock arm 12 and can be displaced like a seesaw.
  • a sliding space 39 for the upper plate 24 is defined between the lower surface of the cover 63 and the upper surface of the detecting main body 64 , and a dimension of the sliding space 39 is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the thickness of the upper plate 24 .
  • the lock arm 12 and the detector 60 displace in the unlocking direction when the operable portion 61 is pressed down.
  • the detector 60 is held at the standby position SP with respect to the lock arm 12 .
  • the operable portion 61 projects more backward than the rear surface of the housing main body 11 .
  • the upper surfaces of the arms 22 can be seen through the through holes 68 and the upper surface of the detecting main body 64 can be seen through the window 69 when the detector 60 is viewed from above.
  • the detector 60 is entirely in the first color (preferably blue).
  • a background color seen through the window 69 is the same first color (blue) as a peripheral part of the window 69 .
  • a background color seen through the holes 68 is the second color (preferably yellow) as the color of the housing main body 11 and remains the second color (yellow) even when the detector 60 is moved.
  • the receptacle 92 of the mating housing 90 is inserted between the housing main body 11 and the fitting 13 when the housing 10 is connected with the mating housing 90 .
  • the lock main body 25 of the lock arm 12 moves onto the lock 95 of the mating housing 90 , as shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the lock arm 12 and the detector 60 are displaced to extend obliquely up towards the front and the connection detecting portions 72 of the detector 60 are displaced in to face the receiving portions 15 of the housing main body 11 from behind.
  • the connecting operation of the two housings 10 , 90 could be left incomplete (e.g. halfway), and then an attempt could made to move the detector 60 forward toward the detection position DP.
  • the connection detecting portions 72 will contact the receiving portions 15 to prevent a forward movement of the detector 60 .
  • the contact projection 71 is kept engaged with the lock main body 25 to prevent the forward movement of the detector 60 .
  • the lock main body 25 passes the lock 95 when the two housings 10 , 90 are connected properly.
  • the lock arm 12 returns resiliently towards its free state to engage the lock main body 25 with the lock 95 and to hold the housings 10 , 90 together.
  • the lower surface of the contact projection 71 contacts the upper surface of the lock 95 so that the detecting main body 64 is deformed up and out relative to the lock arm 12 .
  • the operable portion 61 of the detector 60 is displaced up and out together with the lock arm 12 , thereby disengaging the connection detecting portions 72 from the receiving portions 15 .
  • the contact projection 71 and the lock main body 25 are disengaged to permit a movement of the detector 60 to the detection position DP.
  • the background color seen through the window 69 remains the second color (yellow) since the position of the detector 60 relative to the lock arm 12 continues to be the standby position SP.
  • the detector 60 then is slid towards the detection position DP with respect to the lock arm 12 .
  • the contact projection 71 passes the lock 95 and the lock main body 25 .
  • the detecting main body 64 restores resiliently.
  • the contact projection 71 engages the lock main body 25 from the front, as shown in FIG. 6 .
  • the front ends of the contact pieces 67 then contact the coupling wall 32 from behind to prevent further forward movement of the detector 60 . In this way, the detector 60 is held at the detection position DP and cannot move forward and back with respect to the lock arm 12 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 .
  • both guide arms 62 slip under the coupling wall 32 and contact the lower surface of the coupling wall 32 to prevent upward displacement of the detector 60 and the lock arm 12 in the unlocking direction.
  • the lock main body 25 and the lock 95 are kept reliably engaged to doubly lock the housings 10 , 90 .
  • the rear end of the detector 60 at the detection position DP and the rear end of the housing main body 11 are aligned in forward and backward directions.
  • the upper plate 24 of the lock arm 12 is displaced back with respect to the detector 60 in the sliding space 39 between the detecting main body 64 and the cover 63 as the detector 60 is moved from the standby position SP to the detection position DP.
  • the upper plate 24 of the lock arm 12 gradually appears in the window 69 immediately before the detector 60 reaches the detection position DP.
  • the upper plate 24 appears in the entire window portion 69 as the detector 60 reaches the detection position DP. Accordingly, if an operator looks inside the window 69 in this state, the second color (yellow color) of the upper plate 24 (housing 10 ) can be seen through the window 69 .
  • the upper plate 24 is located before the window 69 if the detector 60 is kept at the standby position SP. Therefore only the upper surface of the detecting main body 64 can be seen through the window 69 via the sliding space 39 and the background color seen through the window 69 is the same first color (blue color) as the peripheral part of the window 69 . Accordingly, an operator judges that the detector 60 has not been moved if there is no change in the background color seen through the window 69 , and, in this case, the detector 60 is pushed to the detection position DP anew.
  • the background color seen through the window 69 is a different color than the one seen at the standby position SP when the detector 60 is moved from the standby position SP to the detection position DP. Therefore the arrival of the detector 60 at the detection position DP is detected visually and clearly. As a result, an operator will not forget to move the detector 60 , thereby improving the reliability of the connection detecting function of the connector.
  • the color in the window 69 when the detector is at the standby position SP is the color of the upper surface of the detecting main body 64 and the color outside the window 69 at the upper surface of the cover 63 is the same (e.g. blue).
  • the operator need not remember the background colors seen through the window 69 at the standby position SP and at the detection position DP and can judge the arrival of the detector 60 at the detection position DP by the fact that the color (yellow in this embodiment) is different from that of the peripheral part of the window 69 has appeared in the window 69 . Therefore, an erroneously confirming possibility of the operator decreases and the reliability of the connection detecting function is improved.
  • the detecting main body 64 of the lock arm 12 is seen through the window 69 at the detection position DP. Thus, a condition such as a defective state of the detecting main body 64 also can be confirmed. Therefore the quality of the lock arm 12 also can be improved.
  • the detector 60 preferably is entirely in the first color (blue) and the housing 10 preferably is entirely in the second color (yellow) different from the first color.
  • the housing 10 preferably is entirely in the second color (yellow) different from the first color.
  • the window 69 is at the easily detectable position of the detector 60 in the widthwise intermediate part of the outer or upper surface of the connector near the operable portion 61 and has an easily visible shape (looped opening). Thus, the visibility thereof is good.
  • the background colors seen through the window are different at the standby position and at the detection position, and they can be any colors.
  • Each background color may not necessarily be limited to a single color and may be a combination of colors. Of course, it is preferable to combine such colors that a color difference chromatically stands out between the standby position and the detection position.
  • the background other than the detecting main body may be seen through the window at the standby position, and the background other than the upper plate may be seen through window portion at the detection position.
  • the detector may be mounted on a movable part of the housing other than the lock arm, such as a lever in a lever-type connector.
  • the window may be a cutout at an end edge of the detector.
  • a plurality of windows may be formed in the detector.
  • a transparent or semitransparent filter may be mounted to cover the window to prevent external matter, such as dust, from entering the window.
  • a second embodiment of the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 21 .
  • a connector of this embodiment is provided with a first housing 110 having male terminal fittings 111 mounted therein and a second housing 120 having female terminal fittings 121 mounted therein. It should be noted that, in the following description, forward and backward directions are the same directions as those parallel to a connecting direction of the housings 110 , 120 .
  • the first housing 110 is made e.g. of synthetic resin and includes a tubular receptacle 112 projecting forward in the same direction as the connecting direction with the second housing 120 .
  • a lock 113 projects from the upper surface (outer surface) of the upper wall of the receptacle 112 .
  • the second housing 120 is made unitarily e.g. of synthetic resin and has a block-shaped terminal holding portion 122 and a rectangular tubular fitting 123 that surrounds a front portion of the terminal holding portion 122 .
  • the female terminal fittings 121 are accommodated in the terminal holding portion 122 .
  • a lock arm 124 is formed unitarily on the upper surface of the terminal holding portion 122 and extends in forward and backward directions.
  • the lock arm 124 includes left and right arms 125 that extend in forward and backward directions, a lock 126 that connects the front ends of the arms 125 , a coupling plate 127 that couples the rear ends of the arms 125 , legs 128 that project from substantially central positions of the lower surfaces of the arms 125 , and a lower plate 129 that couples the bottom end edges of the arms 125 and is supported on the terminal holding portion 122 at the legs 128 .
  • the lock arm 124 is in a locking posture where the arms 125 extend forward and backward in directions substantially parallel to connecting and separating directions of the two housings 110 , 120 and are in a free state where the lock arm is not resiliently displaced.
  • the lock arm 124 is resiliently displaceable like a seesaw to an unlocking posture reached by displacing a front end of the lock arm 124 up substantially orthogonal to forward and backward directions with the legs 128 as supports.
  • Guide ribs 130 are formed at the outer lateral edges of the arms 125 extend in the length direction of the arms 125 .
  • Stoppers 131 are formed on lower surfaces of the guide ribs 130 .
  • the lower plate 129 extends from the rear ends of the arms 125 to a position slightly behind the lock 126 and the front ends of the arms 125 . There is an open space between the front end edge of the lower plate 129 and the lock 126 for receiving the lock projection 113 .
  • An upper wall 123 A of the tubular fitting 123 is formed with an opening 123 B by cutting away an area excluding the opposite left and right edges and a front edge, and the lock arm 124 is exposed upward through this opening 123 B.
  • a connection detector 133 is mounted in the second housing 120 and is made unitarily e.g. of synthetic resin.
  • the connection detector 133 has left and right long narrow side walls 134 that extend in forward and backward directions.
  • An operable portion 135 couples the rear ends of the side walls 134 , and a bar-shaped support 136 projects forward and parallel with the side walls 134 in a space between the opposite side walls 134 .
  • a resilient piece 137 extends farther forward from the front extending end of the support 136 and a restricting plate 138 couples the upper edges of the side walls 134 .
  • Guide grooves 139 are formed in the inner side surfaces of the side walls 134 and extend substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of the side walls 134 .
  • Retaining projections 140 project in from the inner side surfaces of the side walls 134 at substantially central positions in forward and backward directions.
  • the resilient piece 137 has a smaller vertical thickness than the support 136 .
  • the upper surface of the resilient piece 137 is substantially flush with and continuous with the upper surface of the support 136 and the lower surface of the resilient piece 137 is above the lower surface of the support 136 .
  • a lock 141 is formed at the front end of the resilient piece 137 for engaging the lock 126 of the lock arm 124 .
  • the lock 141 has a projecting end 142 at the front extending end of the resilient piece 137 , a touching portion 143 projecting down from a position slightly behind the projecting end 142 , and a cut-away portion 144 at the lower surface of the projecting end 142 and the front surface of the touching portion 143 .
  • the resilient piece 137 is resiliently deformable to curve up and out between a rear base end substantially continuous with the front end of the support 136 and the lock 141 and resiliently displaceable so that the lock 141 side is displaced up and out with the base end as a support. Further, the front end of the resilient piece 137 is located behind the front ends of the side walls 134 .
  • the restriction 138 is connected with the upper end edges of the side walls 134 at right angles and extends continuously in forward and backward directions from the rear ends of the side walls 134 (front end of the operable portion 135 ) to a position slightly behind the front ends of the side walls 134 .
  • the front end of the restriction 138 is slightly behind the front projecting end 142 of the lock 141 of the resilient piece 137 and is at substantially the same position as the touching portion 143 in forward and backward directions.
  • a formation range of the restriction 138 in forward and backward directions includes an area corresponding to at least a lengthwise middle part of the resilient piece 137 in a curvable area from the base end of the resilient piece 137 to the lock 141 , i.e.
  • the front end of the resilient piece 137 that includes the projecting end 142 and the substantially front half of the touching portion 143 of the lock 141 projects more forward than the front end of the restriction 138 .
  • Most of the resilient piece 137 excluding the front end, is covered by the restriction 138 from above.
  • the resilient piece 137 is protected from interference of external matter by the restriction 138 .
  • a space for permitting upward resilient displacement and curved deformation of the resilient piece 137 is defined between the lower surface of the restriction 138 and the upper surface of the resilient piece 137 .
  • An arcuate contact portion 145 is formed at the lower edge of the front end of the restriction 138 at the same side as the extending end of the resilient piece 137 .
  • the restriction 138 also is formed with a single window 169 at a widthwise intermediate position near the rear end edge.
  • the window 169 of the restriction 138 is a round hole.
  • connection detector 133 is assembled with the lock arm 124 from behind by being slid with the guide grooves 139 engaged with the guide ribs 130 .
  • the retaining projections 140 pass the stoppers 131 and engage the stoppers 131 from the front when the connection detector 133 reaches the stand-by position SP, as shown in FIG. 16 .
  • a backward movement of the connection detector 133 is prevented, and the touching portions 143 at the front end of the resilient piece 137 engage the lock 126 from behind to prevent further forward movement of the connection detector 133 .
  • the connection detector 133 is held at the initial or stand-by position SP (see FIGS. 12 and 17 ). In other words, the connection detector 133 has its forward movement towards the detecting position DP prevented.
  • the projecting end 142 of the resilient piece 137 is placed on the outer surface of the lock 126 , and the cut-away portion 144 is fit obliquely to the lock 126 from an upper rear side.
  • the support 136 is held vertically between the lower plate 129 and the coupling 127
  • the coupling 127 is held vertically between the support 136 and the restriction 138 .
  • the connection detector 133 cannot move vertically relative to the lock arm 124 .
  • connection detector 133 is prevented from moving laterally relative to the lock arm 124 and the second housing 120 . Further, with the connection detector 133 at the initial position SP, the upper surface of the restriction 138 is at substantially the same height as the upper surface of the upper wall 123 A of the tubular fitting 123 . Therefore, external matter will not collide with the restriction 138 from above.
  • connection detector 133 held at the initial position SP can be moved forward substantially parallel to the connecting direction of the housings 110 , 120 while being guided by the guide grooves 139 and the guide ribs 130 .
  • Forward movement of the connection detector 133 is prevented when the bottom end of the touching portion 143 slides on the upper surface of the lock 126 and the front end of the restriction 138 contacts a front stop 123 D on a front edge 123 C of the tubular fitting 123 .
  • the touching portion 143 passes the lock 126 , the resilient piece 137 is restored resiliently and the touching portion 143 engages the lock 126 from the front.
  • a backward movement of the connection detector 133 towards the initial position SP is prevented to hold the connection detector 133 at the detecting position DP.
  • the front ends of the side walls 134 contact the front edge 123 C from the lower side when the connection detector 133 is at the detecting position DP.
  • an upward displacement of the front end of the connection detector 133 i.e. a resilient displacement of the lock arm 124 to the unlocking posture, is prevented.
  • External matter will not collide with the restriction 138 from above even with the connection detector 133 at the detection position DP, since the upper surface of the restriction 138 is at the same height as or slightly lower than the upper surface of the upper wall 123 A of the tubular fitting 123
  • the receptacle 112 is fit on the terminal holding portion 122 and is inserted into the tubular fitting 123 in the process of connecting the two housings 110 , 120 . Then, as shown in FIG. 13 , the lock 126 moves onto the lock projection 113 . Accordingly, the lock arm 124 is displaced resiliently to the unlocking posture. At this time, the connection detector 133 also inclines its posture to displace the front end side thereof up while being united with the lock arm 124 . However, the lock 141 is held engaged with the lock 126 , and the connection detector 133 cannot move to the detecting position DP.
  • the lock 126 passes the lock projection 113 as the connecting operation of the housings 110 , 120 proceeds and the two housings 110 , 120 become connected properly as shown in FIG. 14 .
  • the lock arm 124 then is restored resiliently to the locking posture so that the engagement of the lock 126 and the lock projection 113 locks the housings 110 , 120 together.
  • a part of the connection detector 133 except the resilient piece 137 is returned to its original posture together with the lock arm 124 when the lock arm 124 is restored resiliently.
  • the lock projection 113 is located under the lock 141 of the resilient piece 137 .
  • the resilient piece 137 is displaced resiliently up relative to the side walls 134 and the restriction 138 , and the touching portion 143 is placed on the upper surface of the lock projection 113 .
  • the contact 145 at the front end of the restriction 138 may collide with the upper surface of the lock 141 from above when the lock arm 124 is restored resiliently together with the connection detector 133 .
  • This collision is at a part of the lock 141 in forward and backward directions where the thickness is largest and where the touching portion 143 is formed.
  • the portion of the lock 141 between the restriction 138 and the lock 113 will not deform.
  • the locks 141 and 126 are disengaged from each other by an upward movement of the touching portion 143 relative to the lock 126 in the state where the two housings 110 , 120 are connected properly and the connection detector 133 is at the initial position SP.
  • the connection detector 133 is permitted to move forward.
  • the upper surface of the lock 113 in contact with the lock 141 and the upper surface of the lock 126 are at substantially the same height so as to be substantially flush with each other.
  • the lock 141 can slide to move from the outer surface of the lock 113 onto that of the lock 126 .
  • the connection detector 133 can slide from the initial position SP to the detecting position DP.
  • the touching portion 143 passes the lock 126 , as shown in FIG. 15 , if the operable portion 135 is pushed from behind in this state to move the connection detector 133 to the detecting position DP. Therefore the resilient piece 137 is restored resiliently and the touching portion 143 is engaged with the lock 126 from the front. This engagement prevents a backward returning movement of the connection detector 133 towards the initial position SP and holds the connection detector 133 at the detecting position DP.
  • connection detector 133 cannot be moved from the initial position SP to the detecting position DP if the two housings 110 , 120 are not connected yet. Specifically, a strong pushing force could be exerted on the operable portion 135 from behind while the connection detector 133 is at the initial position SP. This pushing force will cause the resilient piece 137 to deform resiliently and will curve the part of the resilient piece 137 between the base end and the lock 141 up as shown in FIG. 11 . If this resilient deformation amount increases, a forward inclined angle of the front end of the resilient piece 127 increases.
  • the front end of the projecting end 142 could contact the upper surface of the lock 126 to displace the touching portion 143 up relative to the lock 126 and, consequently, the touching portion 143 could disengage from the lock 126 . Then, the lock 141 of the resilient piece 137 would no longer prevent a forward movement of the connection detector 133 , and the connection detector 133 could move to the detecting position DP.
  • the restriction 138 is provided above the resilient piece 137 and prevents an excessive curved deformation of the resilient piece 137 .
  • the lock 141 is held engaged with the lock 126 to prevent a forward movement of the connection detector 133 . In this way, the connection detector 133 cannot move to the detecting position when the two housings 110 , 120 are not connected yet.
  • the lengthwise intermediate part of the resilient piece 137 is displaced maximally when the resilient piece 137 is curved.
  • the restriction 138 is formed over the range including the area corresponding to the lengthwise intermediate part of the resilient piece 137 . Therefore, the excessive curved deformation of the resilient piece 137 is prevented effectively.
  • connection detector 133 still is at the initial position SP when the housings 110 , 120 become properly connected.
  • the resilient piece 137 interferes with the lock projection 113 , inclines its posture and displaces towards the restriction 138 .
  • a displacement amount of the resilient piece 137 at this time is largest at the extending front end of the resilient piece 137 .
  • the formation range of the restricting portion 138 excludes the extending end. Therefore, there is no likelihood of hindering the displacement of the resilient piece 137 due to the interference of the extending end of the resilient piece 137 with the restriction 138 .
  • the extending front end of the resilient piece 137 contacts the contact 145 at the front end edge of the restriction 138 as the resilient piece 137 is displaced.
  • the contact portion 145 and the resilient piece 137 may be deformed if this contact 145 is an angular edge.
  • the contact 145 is arcuate in this embodiment to prevent deformations of the contact 145 and the resilient piece 137 .
  • the restriction 138 is unitary to the connection detector 133 as a base of the resilient piece 137 . Thus, there is no likelihood of disrupting the positional relationship of the resilient piece 137 and the restriction 138 .
  • the restriction 138 is connected with the upper edges of the side walls 134 at substantially right angles.
  • the deflection strength of the restriction 138 is higher as compared with a restriction formed as a single plate. Therefore, curved deformation of the resilient piece 137 is restricted reliably.
  • connection detector in the above embodiment, it may be formed in the second housing.
  • restriction is formed not to correspond to the extending end of the resilient piece in the above embodiment, it may correspond to the extending end of the resilient piece.
  • the restriction is in the lengthwise middle part of the resilient piece in the above embodiment.
  • the restriction need not be in the lengthwise middle part of the resilient piece.
  • the restriction is reinforced by being connected with the walls in the above embodiment.
  • it may be a single cantilevered plate according.
  • the restriction is plate-like in the above embodiment, but it may be a block with a large thickness in the deforming direction of the resilient piece.
  • the contact is arcuate in the above embodiment, it may be a tapered or angular edge according to the invention.
  • connection detector is mounted slidably on the lock arm and is inclined together with the lock arm.
  • the invention is also applicable to connectors in which a connection detector is not mounted on a lock arm, but slidably supported on a part of a second housing other than the lock arm.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
US12/183,272 2007-08-01 2008-07-31 Connector and connector assembly Expired - Fee Related US7591668B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2007-200569 2007-08-01
JP2007200569A JP5119788B2 (ja) 2007-08-01 2007-08-01 コネクタ
JP2007-209429 2007-08-10
JP2007209429A JP5181573B2 (ja) 2007-08-10 2007-08-10 コネクタ

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20090035980A1 US20090035980A1 (en) 2009-02-05
US7591668B2 true US7591668B2 (en) 2009-09-22

Family

ID=39855279

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/183,272 Expired - Fee Related US7591668B2 (en) 2007-08-01 2008-07-31 Connector and connector assembly

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US7591668B2 (ko)
EP (2) EP2249440B1 (ko)
KR (2) KR100987484B1 (ko)
CN (1) CN102064432B (ko)

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100003844A1 (en) * 2008-07-01 2010-01-07 Delta Electronics, Inc. Electrical connector having latching mechanism
US20100111597A1 (en) * 2008-11-04 2010-05-06 Yazaki Corporation Connector
US20120322277A1 (en) * 2010-03-26 2012-12-20 Yazaki Corporation Fitting confirmation construction of connector for connecting circuit board
US20130102184A1 (en) * 2011-10-24 2013-04-25 Molex Incorporated Connector
US20130130539A1 (en) * 2011-11-18 2013-05-23 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US8460025B2 (en) 2011-02-10 2013-06-11 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Detecting connector
US20130266270A1 (en) * 2010-12-28 2013-10-10 Yazaki Corporation Optical connector
US8678846B2 (en) * 2012-03-28 2014-03-25 Tyco Electronics Corporation Electrical connector with connector position assurance device
CN103716001A (zh) * 2012-10-09 2014-04-09 创杰科技股份有限公司 切换式滤波电路及其操作的方法
US20150222055A1 (en) * 2012-10-16 2015-08-06 Tyco Electronics Amp Italia S.R.L. Electrical Connector with Connector Position Assurance Element
US9160095B2 (en) 2013-02-28 2015-10-13 Yazaki North America, Inc. Connector assembly with connector position assurance stabilizer
US20160123361A1 (en) * 2014-11-05 2016-05-05 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US9543687B2 (en) * 2014-12-22 2017-01-10 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US9705253B2 (en) 2015-07-22 2017-07-11 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US20190067865A1 (en) * 2015-08-19 2019-02-28 Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. Connector pair and connector
US10483677B2 (en) * 2017-04-21 2019-11-19 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US10601170B2 (en) 2017-10-12 2020-03-24 Thomas & Betts International Llc Solid dielectric deadfront electrical switch assembly
US10637194B1 (en) * 2018-11-14 2020-04-28 Hyundai Motor Company Connector device
US10811820B2 (en) * 2017-08-31 2020-10-20 Yazaki Corporation Member locking structure
US10910765B2 (en) * 2019-03-12 2021-02-02 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Lever-type connector
US11114801B2 (en) * 2017-12-26 2021-09-07 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US11217946B2 (en) * 2019-08-09 2022-01-04 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US11569605B2 (en) * 2016-12-20 2023-01-31 Te Connectivity Germany Gmbh Contact device and contact system

Families Citing this family (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4636050B2 (ja) * 2007-04-27 2011-02-23 住友電装株式会社 コネクタ
JP2009004318A (ja) * 2007-06-25 2009-01-08 Sumitomo Wiring Syst Ltd コネクタ
JP5488839B2 (ja) * 2011-05-12 2014-05-14 第一精工株式会社 コネクタ装置
JP2015060628A (ja) * 2013-09-17 2015-03-30 住友電装株式会社 コネクタ
JP6025062B2 (ja) * 2013-10-04 2016-11-16 住友電装株式会社 コネクタ
JP2015079710A (ja) * 2013-10-18 2015-04-23 住友電装株式会社 コネクタ
JP2015082363A (ja) * 2013-10-21 2015-04-27 住友電装株式会社 コネクタ
US9356394B2 (en) 2013-12-11 2016-05-31 JAE Oregon, Inc. Self-rejecting connector
US8968021B1 (en) 2013-12-11 2015-03-03 JAE Oregon, Inc. Self-rejecting automotive harness connector
JP6150172B2 (ja) * 2014-02-28 2017-06-21 住友電装株式会社 コネクタ
JP5765462B1 (ja) * 2014-04-25 2015-08-19 第一精工株式会社 電気コネクタ
JP6119670B2 (ja) * 2014-05-27 2017-04-26 住友電装株式会社 コネクタ
JP6332046B2 (ja) 2015-01-14 2018-05-30 住友電装株式会社 コネクタ
JP6354655B2 (ja) * 2015-04-29 2018-07-11 住友電装株式会社 コネクタ
JP6523221B2 (ja) * 2016-07-29 2019-05-29 矢崎総業株式会社 コネクタ
EP3285336B1 (en) * 2016-08-18 2019-02-27 J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd. Electrical connector, header and socket for the same and method of assembly
JP6660409B2 (ja) * 2018-02-13 2020-03-11 矢崎総業株式会社 コネクタ
CN108565603B (zh) * 2018-03-27 2024-03-29 实盈电子(东莞)有限公司 连接器锁扣结构
US10404012B1 (en) * 2018-04-20 2019-09-03 Te Connectivity Corporation Electrical connector with connector position assurance element
US11031726B2 (en) * 2018-11-02 2021-06-08 Tyco Electronics Amp Korea Co., Ltd. Connector assembly having inflow resistant interface
KR102597957B1 (ko) * 2022-10-26 2023-11-03 이기석 슬라이딩 락 안전 체결구조를 갖는 커넥터

Citations (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4902244A (en) * 1988-05-20 1990-02-20 Yazaki Corporation Connector
US5120255A (en) * 1990-03-01 1992-06-09 Yazaki Corporation Complete locking confirming device for confirming the complete locking of an electric connector
US5203718A (en) * 1990-10-08 1993-04-20 Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd. Connector
US5647757A (en) 1995-03-20 1997-07-15 The Whitaker Corporation Electrical connector with terminal position assurance
US6068507A (en) 1996-11-04 2000-05-30 Molex Incorporated Housing adapted to an electrical connector position assurance system
US6126480A (en) * 1997-07-01 2000-10-03 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US6383009B2 (en) * 1998-08-20 2002-05-07 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Fitting detecting connector
US20020160651A1 (en) 2001-04-12 2002-10-31 Yazaki Corporation Half-fitting prevention connector and assembling method thereof
US20030087545A1 (en) * 2001-11-07 2003-05-08 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector and a connector assembly
US6659811B2 (en) * 2001-04-11 2003-12-09 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US6688907B2 (en) * 2002-03-01 2004-02-10 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector and a connector assembly
US20040121640A1 (en) 2002-12-12 2004-06-24 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector and a connector assembly
US6824417B1 (en) 2002-07-24 2004-11-30 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connection detecting connector and a connection detecting connector assembly
US7059902B2 (en) * 2003-09-04 2006-06-13 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector, a connector assembly and a method of assembling a connector assembly
JP2006253073A (ja) 2005-03-14 2006-09-21 Sumitomo Wiring Syst Ltd 嵌合検知コネクタ
US20070059969A1 (en) * 2005-09-13 2007-03-15 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
EP1775800A1 (de) 2005-10-14 2007-04-18 Fahrzeugelektrik Pirna GmbH & Co. KG Steckverbinder für elektrische Steckverbindungen
US20080166913A1 (en) * 2007-01-08 2008-07-10 Thomas & Betts International, Inc. View portal seating indicator
US7399195B2 (en) * 2006-12-06 2008-07-15 J.S.T. Corporation Connector position assurance device and connector assembly incorporating the same

Patent Citations (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4902244A (en) * 1988-05-20 1990-02-20 Yazaki Corporation Connector
US5120255A (en) * 1990-03-01 1992-06-09 Yazaki Corporation Complete locking confirming device for confirming the complete locking of an electric connector
US5203718A (en) * 1990-10-08 1993-04-20 Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd. Connector
US5647757A (en) 1995-03-20 1997-07-15 The Whitaker Corporation Electrical connector with terminal position assurance
US6068507A (en) 1996-11-04 2000-05-30 Molex Incorporated Housing adapted to an electrical connector position assurance system
US6126480A (en) * 1997-07-01 2000-10-03 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US6383009B2 (en) * 1998-08-20 2002-05-07 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Fitting detecting connector
US6659811B2 (en) * 2001-04-11 2003-12-09 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US20020160651A1 (en) 2001-04-12 2002-10-31 Yazaki Corporation Half-fitting prevention connector and assembling method thereof
US6692288B2 (en) * 2001-11-07 2004-02-17 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector with detector for detecting incomplete connection and for protecting resilient lock arm of connector
US20030087545A1 (en) * 2001-11-07 2003-05-08 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector and a connector assembly
US6688907B2 (en) * 2002-03-01 2004-02-10 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector and a connector assembly
US6824417B1 (en) 2002-07-24 2004-11-30 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connection detecting connector and a connection detecting connector assembly
US20040121640A1 (en) 2002-12-12 2004-06-24 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector and a connector assembly
US7059902B2 (en) * 2003-09-04 2006-06-13 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector, a connector assembly and a method of assembling a connector assembly
JP2006253073A (ja) 2005-03-14 2006-09-21 Sumitomo Wiring Syst Ltd 嵌合検知コネクタ
US20070059969A1 (en) * 2005-09-13 2007-03-15 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US7252530B2 (en) * 2005-09-13 2007-08-07 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
EP1775800A1 (de) 2005-10-14 2007-04-18 Fahrzeugelektrik Pirna GmbH & Co. KG Steckverbinder für elektrische Steckverbindungen
US7399195B2 (en) * 2006-12-06 2008-07-15 J.S.T. Corporation Connector position assurance device and connector assembly incorporating the same
US20080166913A1 (en) * 2007-01-08 2008-07-10 Thomas & Betts International, Inc. View portal seating indicator

Cited By (31)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7972163B2 (en) * 2008-07-01 2011-07-05 Delta Electronics, Inc. Electrical connector having latching mechanism
US20100003844A1 (en) * 2008-07-01 2010-01-07 Delta Electronics, Inc. Electrical connector having latching mechanism
US20100111597A1 (en) * 2008-11-04 2010-05-06 Yazaki Corporation Connector
US7980880B2 (en) * 2008-11-04 2011-07-19 Yazaki Corporation Connector
US8758043B2 (en) * 2010-03-26 2014-06-24 Yazaki Corporation Fitting confirmation construction of connector for connecting circuit board
US20120322277A1 (en) * 2010-03-26 2012-12-20 Yazaki Corporation Fitting confirmation construction of connector for connecting circuit board
US20130266270A1 (en) * 2010-12-28 2013-10-10 Yazaki Corporation Optical connector
US8845209B2 (en) * 2010-12-28 2014-09-30 Yazaki Corporation Optical connector with vertical opening prevention ribs
US8460025B2 (en) 2011-02-10 2013-06-11 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Detecting connector
US20130102184A1 (en) * 2011-10-24 2013-04-25 Molex Incorporated Connector
US9153915B2 (en) * 2011-10-24 2015-10-06 Molex, Llc Connector
US20130130539A1 (en) * 2011-11-18 2013-05-23 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US8851921B2 (en) * 2011-11-18 2014-10-07 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector with detection unit
US8678846B2 (en) * 2012-03-28 2014-03-25 Tyco Electronics Corporation Electrical connector with connector position assurance device
CN103716001A (zh) * 2012-10-09 2014-04-09 创杰科技股份有限公司 切换式滤波电路及其操作的方法
US20150222055A1 (en) * 2012-10-16 2015-08-06 Tyco Electronics Amp Italia S.R.L. Electrical Connector with Connector Position Assurance Element
US9490576B2 (en) * 2012-10-16 2016-11-08 Tyco Electronics Amp Italia S.R.L. Electrical connector with connector position assurance element
US9160095B2 (en) 2013-02-28 2015-10-13 Yazaki North America, Inc. Connector assembly with connector position assurance stabilizer
US20160123361A1 (en) * 2014-11-05 2016-05-05 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US9543687B2 (en) * 2014-12-22 2017-01-10 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US9705253B2 (en) 2015-07-22 2017-07-11 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US20190067865A1 (en) * 2015-08-19 2019-02-28 Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd. Connector pair and connector
US11569605B2 (en) * 2016-12-20 2023-01-31 Te Connectivity Germany Gmbh Contact device and contact system
US10483677B2 (en) * 2017-04-21 2019-11-19 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US10811820B2 (en) * 2017-08-31 2020-10-20 Yazaki Corporation Member locking structure
US10601170B2 (en) 2017-10-12 2020-03-24 Thomas & Betts International Llc Solid dielectric deadfront electrical switch assembly
US11114801B2 (en) * 2017-12-26 2021-09-07 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US10637194B1 (en) * 2018-11-14 2020-04-28 Hyundai Motor Company Connector device
US20200153165A1 (en) * 2018-11-14 2020-05-14 Hyundai Motor Company Connector device
US10910765B2 (en) * 2019-03-12 2021-02-02 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Lever-type connector
US11217946B2 (en) * 2019-08-09 2022-01-04 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR101271347B1 (ko) 2013-06-04
EP2020706A2 (en) 2009-02-04
KR20100087059A (ko) 2010-08-03
KR100987484B1 (ko) 2010-10-13
US20090035980A1 (en) 2009-02-05
CN102064432A (zh) 2011-05-18
KR20090013735A (ko) 2009-02-05
EP2020706A3 (en) 2009-02-11
EP2249440A1 (en) 2010-11-10
CN102064432B (zh) 2013-09-11
EP2020706B1 (en) 2011-10-26
EP2249440B1 (en) 2012-05-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7591668B2 (en) Connector and connector assembly
US7223113B2 (en) Connector and a connector assembly
US7591665B2 (en) Connector
US5820399A (en) Connector fitting construction
US7476123B2 (en) Connector with a connection detector having an operating plate that is pushed during connection
EP0841724B1 (en) A connector
US6533600B1 (en) Connector fitting construction
US8231401B2 (en) Connector
US7267569B2 (en) Connector with a shorting terminal
US7063548B2 (en) Connector and connector assembly
US6659811B2 (en) Connector
JPH0581967U (ja) コネクタ
US6537098B2 (en) Connector fitting construction using resilient force
US20220271473A1 (en) Connector
US10498084B2 (en) Electrical connection device having connection detection function
JP7042402B2 (ja) コネクタ
US7753613B2 (en) Connector
JP3555591B2 (ja) コネクタ
US6530800B2 (en) Connector and method for assembling a connector

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., JAPAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NAKAMURA, HIDETO;REEL/FRAME:021322/0378

Effective date: 20080728

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20210922